Dakar, Senegal Report of what it's like to live there - 01/07/18
Personal Experiences from Dakar, Senegal
School Name:
International School of Dakar
Background Information:
1. Are you the parent of a child(ren) attending this school? A teacher at the school? Or both?
Parent of children attending the school, ES and Middle School.
2. What grade or grades do/did your children attend at the school? During what year(s) did they attend the school?
5th and 6th
3. What was your reason for living in the city where the school is located (e.g., government, military, corporate, NGO, retired)?
Government
4. Are other schools available to expatriates in this city? Why did you choose this particular school?
Yes, however, we felt that ISD was better equipped (curriculum, environment, technology, and security) to meet our priorities.
Admissions & Welcome:
1. Are the admissions and placement procedures clearly stated to prospective families, either on the school website or through other means of communication?
Yes, they have an informative website.
2. How would you rate the school's support and welcome/integration of new students and their families, and why?
The counselors do a nice job of welcoming new students by providing programs for both ES and MS students that aid in their transition.
Administration & School Procedures:
1. How is the overall communication between teachers and parents, and the administration and parents? How is communication facilitated?
At times, in their effort to use technology and different modes of communicating, there is redundancy (which isn't bad), but then there is also overcommunication my multiple POCs that creates inconsistency in the information that is out there for parents. Additionally, the MS could do a better job to outline their processes when pertaining to afterschool programs, athletic teams (several parents were told that "everyone" made the swim team, even the children were told that at their tryouts, only to find out via email that not everyone made it), and clarity of methods of communication...a one-stop shop vs having to navigate through several links and documents to get the latest pertinent information. Having said that, we're happy with the school and still believe it's the best option.
2. Aside from school fees, are there required expenses such as uniforms, laptops/tablets, musical instruments, or field trips that parents are expected to cover? What are the approximate costs?
none required, even Week Without Walls was covered (which was surprising since other international schools that we've been in have fees associated with WWW).
Academics & Resources:
1. What personal or academic counseling resources are available at this school? Is there a dedicated college counselor at the school? Is he/she familiar with universities worldwide?
The counselors do a nice job of welcoming new students by providing programs for both ES and MS students that aid in their transition.
We are not familiar with the school's dedicated services for college. Our kids are not at that stage of their education yet.
2. Is there before and/or after-school daycare available? What are the costs?
Daycare, not sure. However, they do have an afterschool activity program for ES and after school sports program for MS.
3. Does the school have a library? How large is it? How updated are the books? Can students borrow books to read at home?
Yes, not large, but suitable. Yes, students may check-out books. Not sure about how updated the books are; however, my son had checked out books from the popular series he's reading.
4. How are information technology resources at the school. Are they up-to-date? Is there a computer lab?
Technology courses are part of the curriculum. They have a lab where they do some testing.
5. What are the technology requirements for students? Do they need their own laptops/ipads? How is technology integrated into the classroom and homework?
Every student (5th grade on, I believe) is given a ChromeBook. Every student has a student gmail account and they do work and submit assignments through GoogleDocs as well. I would say the school if up to date, if not ahead of other schools, when it comes to intergrating technology into class/homework.
6. Describe the physical education resources at the school. Is there a gym? A swimming pool? Are there playing fields or tennis courts available?
Gym-new one being built
Pool- new, although small.
Fields- large soccer field with track around it, volleyball/basketball courts.
7. What is the approximate teacher-to-student ratio in the grades that your child attended?
5th grade- 17 students (one teacher and an assistant)
6th grade- they like to keep it under 18 students.
8. Are Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) courses available in upper grades? If this is an IB school, is the full diploma required of all students?
ISD is an IB school and I believe the middle school is currently going through accreditation to become an MYP school. MS does offer advance courses as well.
9. Are students generally challenged appropriately by the curriculum? Please describe any particular strengths or weaknesses in this area. Do you have any thoughts how the curriculum is applied and implemented at this school?
Yes. Math seems to be an area of strength at ISD (which we were happy to see)
10. Is the amount and type of homework generally appropriate for the age and grade of the students?
Yes, not nearly as many projects as they had in Northern Virginia.
11. What fine arts electives are available (music, drama, visual arts)?
All
12. Are the teachers at the school required to speak English as a first language--or at least fluently?
Yes
13. What services are available for gifted/advanced students at the school? Please describe your experience with these services, if applicable.
Pleased with these services. As with any school, if you don't feel that your child will be challenged, have a conversation with administration and be their advocate.
14. What services are available for students with learning disabilities at this school? Please describe your experience with these services, if applicable.
15. What services are available for students with physical disabilities at this school? Please describe your experience with these services, if applicable.
16. What services are provided for speakers of English as a second language at this school? Please describe your experience with these services, if applicable.
17. What extra-curricular activities (including sports) are available at this school? Have your children participated in these activities? What activities do you feel are missing at the school?
Swimming, Volleyball, Basketball, Soccer, Track, Softball, Tennis (off campus), but no American football.
Pottery, Oil-Painting, Spanish, Cooking, Lego-Robotics, Makerspace, and others that I cannot recall.
Social & Emotional Well-Being:
1. Do expatriate students socialize with local students at the school? Are both groups successfully integrated into the school culture?
I believe so, not certain.
2. Are there are any problems with exclusionary behavior, cliques, or bullying at this school? Please describe any problems your children may have experienced in this area.
My children were welcomed from the start of school year. Again, the school does a great job with this at the beginning of the year.
Overall Impressions:
1. What letter grade (ranging from A, excellent, to F, fail) would you assign to this school based on your overall experience? Would you choose it again?
A-, yes I would choose again.
Communication- C They are responsive when you inquire;however, some things parents shouldn't have to ask about to get information on.
Parent teacher conferences -terrible process
2. Please tell us anything else you think prospective parents and students should know about this school. Thanks for your contribution!
Communication- C They are responsive when you inquire;however, some things parents shouldn't have to ask about to get information on.
Parent teacher conferences -terrible process
